Columbia College vs Missouri Western State University
Columbia College is a private college in Columbia, MO, and Missouri Western State University is a public university in Saint Joseph, MO. Columbia College is the more selective of the two, admitting about 5% of applicants against 100% at Missouri Western State University. Missouri Western State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,251 a year against $22,715 at Columbia College. About 44% of students graduate at Columbia College, compared with 39% at Missouri Western State University. Ten years after enrolling, Columbia College alumni earn a median of about $45,378, against $42,647 for Missouri Western State University.
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Columbia College or Missouri Western State University harder to get into?
- Columbia College is harder to get into. It admits about 5% of applicants, compared with 100% at Missouri Western State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Columbia College or Missouri Western State University?
- Missouri Western State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,251 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $22,715 at Columbia College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Columbia College and Missouri Western State University?
- Before aid, Missouri Western State University costs about $21,595 a year and Columbia College about $37,207. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Columbia College or Missouri Western State University?
- Missouri Western State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $11,243 there, against about $23,967 at Columbia College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Columbia College or Missouri Western State University?
- Columbia College is the larger of the two, with about 4,950 undergraduates against 2,219 at Missouri Western State University.
- Does Columbia College or Missouri Western State University have a better graduation rate?
- Columbia College has the higher graduation rate, at about 44% against 39% at Missouri Western State University.
- Do graduates of Columbia College or Missouri Western State University earn more?
- Columbia College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $45,378 ten years after enrolling, against about $42,647 for Missouri Western State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Columbia College and Missouri Western State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- Columbia College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Missouri Western State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Columbia College and Missouri Western State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1560 at Columbia College and 970–1140 at Missouri Western State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.